Question

The nurse is reviewing the medication administration record (mar) of a client at 39 weeks' gestation and notes that she is ordered an opioid for pain relief. which is an assessment priority after administering?

Answer 1

The priority after administering is to assess fetal heart rate. After administering an opioid to a laboring mother, the main concern is to evaluate the effect on the fetus. Opioid administration can cross the placental obstruction with signs as well as measuring heart rate and variability. Subsequently after birth, there may be a reduction in attentiveness. Maternal factors of a reduced blood pressure, constipation and dry month are of a lesser importance.